Socio-technological transitions in the Soconusco region, Chiapas. The reconfiguration of the landscape through innovation niches on coffee fincas

This paper analyzes the social and technological transitions that coffee fincas (plantations) in the Soconusco region of southern Chiapas, Mexico, have undertaken in order to remain competitive in the face of the climatic stress and economic shocks of the last four decades. The innovation niches that finca owners, called finqueros in Spanish, have adopted since the second half of the 20th century in their farming practices and labor policies are highlighted; these niches have scaled up to new technological regimes that have configured a new socio-technological landscape at the regional level. Data obtained from specialized literature and information collected in field work by interviewing finca owners and producers in the Soconusco region were used, concluding that the regional socio-technological regime went from labor exploitation and monocropping to social inclusion and cooperation along with eco-friendly techniques that incorporate local traditional knowledge and cultural values.